London’s ExCel arena, which last summer hosted Olympic events including boxing, taekwondo and fencing, will see combat of a different kind in the coming days as the venue is transformed to host what will be the UK’s first ever criterium to be held entirely indoors, the IG London Nocturne, during the London Bike Show.

Saturday 20 January will see the flagship race as some of the UK’s top domestic men’s teams, including IG Sigma and Madison Genesis – the latter is officially launched at the show – go head to head on the 500 metre indoor circuit. Also racing will be Primal Wear, Raleigh-GAC, Team Hope, Team Kuota and Wheel Base.

Supporting races held during the show, which runs from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 January includes a women’s crit on Friday, folding bike race on Saturday and a penny farthing race on Sunday. Thursday also features the IG City Challenge, with participants including former Arsenal and England footballer Lee Dixon and ITV cycling presenter Ned Boulting. You can find the full programme here.

FACE Partnership MD James Pope commented: "The London Bike Show provides an excellent launch platform for the main IG London Nocturne event. We’re looking forward to replicating the Nocturne excitement in an indoor venue and giving people a taste of the action that will take place around Smithfield Market on 8th June.

“The indoor circuit will create a different style of racing and will be a massive attraction for the London Bike Show audience."
Full details of the London Bike Show 2012, including a link to book tickets, can be found on the event’s website.